Makabayan Bloc calls for House probe into rape, killing of Ilocos Sur teen

The House Makabayan Bloc has filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the rape and killing of a 15-year-old girl after she filed a molestation complaint against a policeman in an Ilocos Sur town.

House Resolution 1028 directs the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality to hold an urgent investigation in aid of legislation into the teenager's killing, and asks the panel to recommend measures to strengthen existing laws protecting women and to give justice to victims of men in uniform.

According to the resolution, the victim was reportedly on her way home with her uncle and a male cousin in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur on July 2 when masked motorcycle riders chased them and fired at her five times, killing her.

Prior to the attack, the victim filed a complaint against Police Staff Sergeant Marawi Torda of the San Juan Municipal Police Station for alleged acts of lasciviousness, while her 18-year-old cousin filed rape charges against Police Staff Sergeant Randy Ramos.

The Cabugao Municipal Police Station said the two girls were arrested over a curfew violation and were allegedly drunk when the cops attacked them but the 15-year-old victim managed to get away.

Torda and Ramos have already been charged with murder over their supposed involvement in the killing of 15-year-old victim. They are currently in restrictive custody at the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office in Bantay town while awaiting further disposition.

The Makabayan Bloc lawmakers, in their resolution, said the rape and killing of the 15-year-old victim "adds up to the numerous publicized cases of sexual violence perpetrated by men in uniform."

Citing information from the Center for Women's Resources, the lawmakers said that 63 police officers have been involved in cases of violence against women including rape over the period of July 2016 to December 2019.

Only 43 police have been charged administratively since 2015, they added.

"Cases of sexual violence committed by police officers, especially during the implementation of the community quarantine, have discouraged victims of domestic violence and sexual harassment who are trapped in their homes from seeking the assistance of law enforcers and authorities, resulting to an alarming and worsening cycle of violence against women and children," the lawmakers said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa has said he wanted the stiffest penalty to be imposed on the two suspects.

“They are not men in uniform but animals who deserve to be jailed for life. Walang awa, walang puso, walang kwentang pulis,” he said in a statement.

Gamboa also ordered Police Regional Office 1 to provide security to the 18-year-old victim and her family and ensure the availability of all PNP prosecution witnesses in court proceedings to expedite the trial as well as administrative procedures. — BM, GMA News